Can-sealing machine



Jan.' 2l, T930. C, NELSON 1,744,661

CAN SEALINGMACHINE s snets-sneet 1 Invcnbor CARL NELSON M a 7 5 u n 3 4i 4 Filed April 28, 1928 Jam 2l, 1930. c, NELSQN 1,744,661

CAN SEALING MACHINE Filed April 28, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 llllll I nven-tor OAR/ NELSON Jah. 21, :1930. c. NELSON "1,744,561

CAN SEALING Inclusa Filed April 2s. 192e s sheets-snm s F59 s f@ 55 l Atornejs Patented Jan.' 21, 1930 UNITED STATE-s PATENT OFFICE CARLNELSON, OF EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO NORTHWESTERN STEEL & IRONWORKS, 0F EAU CLAIRE, -WISCC)1\`|'SI1\1', A CORPORATION OF WISCONSINCAN-SEALING MACHINE Application led April 28, 1928. Serial No. 273,648.

My invention relates generally to machines for sealing or seaming thecovers of preserving cans,.and particularly to devices of this kind thatareA adapted for operation by hand, being applicable to a table or benchin the home and easily operated to seal or seam the cover of a cancontaining fruit, vegetables or other food to be preserved.

The primaryobject of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensiveapparatus which can he easily and quickly set up for use and as readilytaken down and stored away when the preserving season is completed.

A further object is to provide a hand operated can sealing or seamingmachine which can be manipulated with little eiort on the part of theoperator.

A further object is'to provide a sealing or seaming machine by means ofwhich cans of different sizes can he hermetically closed and theircontents preserved.

A further object is to provide a can-sealing or seaming machine,comprising upper and lower chuck plates, having means for moving themtowards and away from each other to clamp the can therebetween, and

the lower chuck plate having a series of annular grooves in the upperface thereof, each adapted to receive the bottom flange of a certainsized can, and the widths of these grooves being such as tosubstantially fit the flanges on the bottoms of the cans, and a portionof the upper surface of the lower chuck plate being cutaway to provideclearance for the usual seam provided in the wall of the can and whichseam causes that portion of the lower can flange to be in alinement withthe seam, to be slightly thicker than the remainder of the flange, sothat when the can is placed upon the chuck plate The invention consistsgenerally of various` Y 'Figure 4 is a similar view showing anotherposition of the rollers or another step in the sealing operation;

Figure 5 1s a sectional view on the line Figure 6 is a detailedsectional view showing a portion of the lower chuck plate and theposition of the can thereon;

Figure 7 is a plan view of Figure 6; and Figure 8 is a perspective viewof an unsealed can.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, 2 represents the base of the framehaving suitable jaws 3 and supporting thumb screws 4 by means of -whichthe frame may be securely clamped in an upright position on the edge ofa table, bench or other suitable support.

The frame includes the base 2, a pair of upright standards 5 and asuitable header 6 here shown connecting together the upper ends of theuprights 5. rlhe header is secured to the uprights by suitable screws 7.The removal of these screws permits separation of the working parts ofthe machine e from the frame.

The base 2 has a shaft 8 extending horizontally through the middleportion thereof and provided withan operating handle 9.

LN ear one end of the shaft within the orifice inthe base, an eccentric10 is formed thereon, opposite a bore which extends upwardly through aboss 12 formed on the middle portion of the base. This bore is adaptedto receive a stud 13 which depends from the under side of a chuck plate14. The stud is preferably provided'with a fiat face -15 on one sideadapted to be engaged by a clamping screw The chuck plate 14 is adaptedto support the can 18 to be sealed or seamed. To prevent relativerotation of the can upon the chuck plate 14, the upper surface of thelatter is provided with a series of annular grooves A, B, and C, eachadapted to receive the bottom flange of a certain sized can, (seeFigures 6 and 7). The width of each of the grooves A,

B, and C is such as to substantially fit the thickness of the dependingrib or flange formed at the bottom of the can to be seated therein. Thedepth of each groove is also preferably equal to the depth of the canflange to be fitted therein, so that when a can is seated upon the chuckplate, it will be supported upon the top surface thereof and also in thebottom of one of the grooves. The upper corners of each groove arechamfered, as indicated at D, in Figure 6, so that the grooves aresubstantially 'tapered downwardly, thus securely holding the can llan'gewhen inserted therein. A portion of the upper surface of the chuck plate14 is also cut away as indicated at E in Figures 2 and 7.

Preserving cans usually have their bottoms secured thereto when they aremanufactured, and are supplied to the user with the covers detached. Inconstructing the can, a seam F is provided in the wall thereof becauseof the edges of the material from which the can is formed, beingoverlapped and suitably secured together by such means as solder. Whenthe bottom of the can is secured to the can body, a depending rib orflange G is formed on the can, 'as shown in Figures 6 and 8, and theportion of this flange in alinement with the seam F will be slightlythicker than the remainder of the flange as indicated at H in Figure 8,because of the ,overlapping of I the edges of the materialfrom which thecan body is formed. Consequently, this thicker portion H of the lowerflange G of the can will not enter the grooves A, B, and C. When the canto be sealed is mounted upon the chuck plate 14, the seam F isypositioned over the cut away portion in the chuck plate, as indicated inFigures 1 and 7, so that the thicker portion H of the depending canflange G will also be seated over the cut away portion E. Thus, it willbe seen that the can cannot be relatively rotated uponl the chuck plate14 because of the thicker portionH of the flange G engaging the end ofits complementary groove, as shown in Figure 7 thereably formed aroundthe orilice in the header- 6. When this crank is turned, the shaft 19will be revolved. An eXteriorly threaded sleeve 23 is provided and hasa' flange 24 at its upper end that is secured to the header 6 bysuitable means such as bolts 25. A crosshead 26 is securely fastened tothe lower portion of the shaft by suitable means such as a pin 27. Aplate 28 is secured to the under side of this cross-head and a similarplate 29 is rotatably mounted on the lower end of the shaft and providedwith an annular groove t0 receive a correspondingly shaped flange 30formed on said shaft. Bearing' balls or rollers 31 are interposedbetween the plates 28 and 29 to take the thrust. An upper chuck plate 32is secured to the under side of the plate 29 between which and the lowerchuck plate 14 the can to be sealed is securely held against rotation.With this construction the plate 28 and the cross-head are free torotate with the shaft 19, while the upper chuck plate is frictionallyheld against rotation through its engagement with the top of the can,the lower chuck plate being securely held againstrotation by the screw16.

Between the cross-head and the lower end of the exteriorly` threadedsleevev23 I prefer to provide a thrust bearing 33. Above this thrustbearing on thesleeve 23 is a cam 34, adapted for rotation with thecross-head 26 because of its connection therewith by a suitable pin 35,on which the cam is free to slide vertically. The cross-head will ofcourse revolve with the shaft as the crank is operated and the sleeve 23being stationary, the cam will move up and down thereon according to thedirection of the revolution of the crank. The peripheral surface of thecam is provided `with cam faces 36 and 37, and links 38 and 39 havewheels 40 at their upper ends ada ted to be engaged by these camsurfaces.

S anks 41 and 42 are adapted to fit within slots 43, longitudinallyformed in the crosshead, and said Shanks are provided near the middleportion thereof with ears 44. The cross-head 0n each side of the slots43 has a series of holes 45 adapted to receive pins 46. Correspondingholes are provided in the ears 44 and the lower ends of the links 38and39 also adapted to receive the pins 46, thereby supporting the Shanksin the slots of the cross head. The upper end's of the Shanks extend toa point opposite the upper ends of the links 38 and 39 and haveadjusting screws 47 mounted therein and adapted to bear on the links 38and 39, so that'relative adjustment is permitted and the angle of theshanks with Shanks 41 and 42 in succession to perform the 'desired'sealing or seaming operation to the can, held between the chuck plates.

The series: of holes 45 in the cross head allows horizontal adjustmentyofthe links 38 to adapt the sealing machine for cans of differentdiameters and sizes. The upper chuck plate 32 is demountably secured tothe plate 29 So that it may readily be removed and another onesubstituted therefor, depending upon the size of the can.

The lower ends of the Shanks 41 and 42`have threaded extensions 48 andlock nuts 49 by means of which suitable seaming rollers 50 and 51\areremovably mounted on said Shanks,

said rollers being substantially cylindrical in form and provided withannular grooves Y 52 and 53, respectively, which are adapted toengagethe projecting edge of the can cover 54 and roll and seam it around andunder the flanged edge 55 of the top of the can, the annular grooveshaving surfaces adapted through the rocking movement of the Shanks 41and 42, to' perform the rolling and seaming operation quickly andeffectually, as the can j is securely held, and the crosshead rotated bythe operation of' the crank. The rollers are capable of adjustment onthe Shanks so that their position may be changed with respect to theedge of the can cover until the annular grooves are in the properposition to engage the edge of the cover and roll it in the propermannerto seal the can.

Any' adjustment-of the Shanks and their connections made necessary bythe sealing of cans of dierent sizes, can be easily and quickly obtainedby the provision of the adjusting screws 47, the adjustable 'mounting ofthe shanks in the cross head, and the manner of supporting the seamingrollers on the lower ends of the Shanks.

- tionof the filled can between them; the cover To use the device, theframe is clamped in an upright position to a suitable support.

'The chuck plates are then separated the desired distance to allow theconvenient inserroller 51and actuated first by the cam surface36, willperform the initial folding operation for the edge of the cover. Thesecond roller'51 following the first one and /ctuated by'itS camsurface, will complete the/seaming andsealing operation folding the edgeof the cover'snugly under and against the projecting edge of thecam'wall, and thereby effectually Sealing the can and its contents. Whenthis has been done, the rollers 'are separated, the

can released from between the chuck plates andthe operation describedmay then be repeated.

In various-ways the details ofV construction herein shown and describedmay be modified and IStill'be'within the scope of my invention. I claimas my invention f 1.' A machine ofthe class described, compris-ing aframe, chuck plates mounted in said frame adapted to support the can tobe sealed, a Shaft mounted in said frame, a cross head secured thereon,Shanks mounted for horizontal adjustment on vsaid cross head, rollerscarried by said Shanks and having Surfaces to engage the peripheral-edgeof the can cover, and means actuated through the I with the edge of thecan cover.

2. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame, upper and lower`chuck plates mounted in said fra-me between which the can to be sealedis held, a shaft vertically mounted in said frame, an operating crank onthe upper end of said shaft, an externally threaded sleeve mounted onsaid shaft and having a flanged upper end secured to said frame, a cammounted on said sleeve for vertical and rotary movement, rollersupporting shanks and rollers thereon to engage the edge of the cancover, means actuated by said caln for oscillating said Shanks, andmeans supporting said Shanks on Said shaft for rotary movement with Saidcam.

3. A machine of the class described, comprising a frame having means fortemporarily securing it to a horizontal supoprt, upper and lower chuckplates mounted in said frame ybetween which the can to be Sealed iSheld, a

vsaid Shanks successively toperform the initial and'nal seamingoperationto the can cover. i 4. The combination with a frame, having 'means for'holding a can tofbe seamed, of 4a shaft mounted fin Said framefandprovided .with means for operating it, a' mem-ber secured to theShaft,shanks pivotally supported on Said member and adapted forhorizontal revolution of Said .shaft for oscillating Said izo C toperform the final initial and seaming'oper- Aationof the can cover. I

6. A machine for applying'covers to cans, v comprising 'a frame, arotary .cross Shanks pivotally mounted therein'and having rollers attheir lower ends provided with peripheral grooves adapted to engage thecan Y cover and roll'it downwardly to seal it to the can, chuck platesmountedlin the frame and between which the can to lbe sealed is placed,one of said chuck'plates being nonrotatable and having an annular groovel Jadapted to receive the depending flange formed at the bottom of thecan, said groove being adapted to prevent the can from relativelyrotating upon said chuck plate, when the machine is operated. l. Y

7. A machine for 'applying covers to cans, comprising. a frame, a rotarycross head,

` Shanks pivotally mounted therein and having rollers'at their lowerends provided with peripheral grooves adapted tol engagekthe can coverand roll it downwardly to seal. it to the can, chuck plates mounted inthe frame and between which thev can to be sealed isv placed, one` ofsaid chuck plates being nonrotatable and having annular grooves in the,

top surface thereof each'adapted to receive the depending flange formedat the bottom of a can ,cfa corresponding diameter, saidl grooves beingtapered downwardly to grip the cam ange and adapted to prevent the camfrom relatively rotating upon said chuck plate,j,when the machine-isoperated.

8. A machine for applying can covers to cans, comprising spaced chuckplates between which the can to be sealed is placed, rotatable meansadjacent to one of said chuck plates for engaging and sealing the coverto the can, the .other chuck plate bein lnonrotatable and' having aplurality of annular grooves in the surface thereof, tapered down vwardly, and each of which is adapted to receive the depending flange ofa. can of correand also because of the taper of said grooves. In witnesswhereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of April, 1928.

CARL NELsoN. 70

sponding diameter and having a seam in the l, wall thereof,-and aportion of the surface of said grooved chuck plate being removed toprovide clearance for the seamed portion of the can, said groovespreventing relative rotation of the can upon the grooved chuck platebecause of the inability of the seamed portion of the can flange tolenter said grooves lao CERTIFICATE oF CORRECTION. y

Patent No.` 1,744,661. Granted January 21, ,1930, to

` CARIJ NELsoN.

It`` ishereby certified that the above numbered patent was erroneouslyissued to "Northwestern Steel 8i Iron Works, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin,av Corporation of Wisconsin", whereas said patent should have beenissued to "National Pressure Cooker Company, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, aCorporation of Wisconsin", said corporation being assignee of the entire-interest in said invention, as "shown by l the l'eCOl'dS 0faSSigl'lnlents in this office; and that the said Letters Phtent should'be read with this correction therein that he same may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Office. 5

signed and sensa this 4th day of Marien, A. D. 1930.

M. J. iMoore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

